First Alabama Death Related to Vaping Injury
A man from East Alabama is the state’s first resident to die from a vaping-associated injury, according to the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH). This comes amid a nationwide outbreak of lung disease linked to vaping.
In a statement issued Wednesday, officials say there are currently 19 cases of vaping-related illness under investigation across the state, mostly among adolescents and young adults.
“While this current outbreak is being investigated, the safest option is to refrain from using any e-cigarette or vape product,” state health officer Dr. Scott Harris said in a statement. Officials also stress that residents should not buy products from unregulated sources.
Nationwide, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed 12 deaths and is investigating more than 800 cases of the illness in 46 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Those numbers do not include data from Alabama.
So far, it is not clear what is causing the potentially fatal lung injury, but it is spurring action among politicians and the medical community.
According to the CDC, no single product or substance has been linked to all cases, but findings suggest that products containing the chemical THC could play a role in the outbreak. On its website, the CDC states “most of the patients (under investigation) reported using THC-containing products or both THC-containing products and nicotine-containing products. Some of the patients reported using only nicotine-containing products.”
Officials with the ADPH are asking residents with a history of vaping or e-cigarette use to inform healthcare providers if they experience a related injury. They also want providers to report any suspected cases for further investigation. Symptoms of vaping-related illness include cough, shortness of breath and fatigue.
Correction, Oct 2, 2019: In an earlier version of this story, we said “findings suggest the chemical THC could play a role,” which could leave the impression that officials have identified THC as the culprit. We have corrected the post to clarify that “findings suggest that products containing THC could play a role.”
Should federal rental aid come with a time limit? Here’s how it works in one place
The Trump administration wants to allow a cutoff date for housing subsidies. The plan is deeply controversial, but Delaware offers a potential model for success.
4 takeaways from Erin Patterson’s testimony at her toxic mushroom triple murder trial
Patterson is accused of putting death cap mushrooms in a meal she served her estranged husband's relatives in July 2023, killing three. She took the stand in Week 6 of the trial gripping Australia.
Torture and treason trials: what’s happening in Tanzania?
Tanzania's government is facing growing accusations of repression after prominent human rights defenders say they were beaten and sexually assaulted while in custody.
International students in the U.S.: Who they are, where they’re from
The Trump administration continues to target foreign nationals looking to attend U.S. universities. Here's a closer look at who these students are, where they come from and what they study.
‘You barely see people out’: How immigration raids are reshaping daily life in Puerto Rico’s Dominican enclave
Puerto Rico's Dominican immigrant community is on edge following a series of immigration raids, which started in January. People have stopped going to work, sending kids to school, or attending medical appointments. What was once a lively barrio is now mostly quiet in the wake of the crackdown.
A baklava crawl in the Turkish city that’s obsessed with the pastry
Here's how the Turkish city of Gaziantep became synonymous with baklava, the sweet pastry made of layers of phyllo dough, filled with nuts and soaked in syrup or honey.